Scotch Dyke Residential Home

Updated 24 March 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 11 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 24 March 2021

This inspection took place on 30 August 2017 and was unannounced. The last inspection took place on 22 August 2016. At the previous inspection, we found the provider in beach of regulation relating to safe care and treatment as medicines were not managed safely. Risk assessments were not completed when people managed their own medicines. Records were not kept on what medicine people who self-managed their medicine had taken and what stocks they had of each medicine. At this inspection we saw improvements had been made in this area and medicines were now managed safely. We saw that people who managed their own medicines now had records which confirmed their medicines had been taken. There were also concerns about the lack of guidance for medicines which were prescribed on an “as and when required” basis. We saw that there was now clear guidance for staff on how to ensure these medicines were administered as prescribed. At the previous inspection limited shelf life medicines such as liquid medicines did not have the opening date recorded when they were opened. We saw at this inspection that medicines were now dated on opening.

We also identified concerns around consent; consent had not always been gain for the use of equipment by people who may lack capacity. We also saw that capacity assessments had not always been completed. At this inspection we saw that when there were concerns about people’s capacity assessments were completed and when needed people had assessments for the use of equipment such as bedrails.

Concerns were raised about a DNACPR form not being in place for someone who did not have capacity as the forms had not been received from their power of attorney. We spoke with the registered manger and they told us that following the previous inspection this had been rectified in a timely way to ensure that the person’s wishes would be respected. We saw that a DNACPR form had been stored in the persons file.

Another area which required improvement was the provision on activities. There was a lack of meaningful activities for people to take part in, people described the activities as “childish”. We asked the provider to submit an action plan on how they would address these breaches. At this inspection we saw that people’s social needs were assessed and planned for. People spoke positively about the activities with where provided.

At the previous inspection quality assurance within the home also required improvement as they were not sufficient to ensure that the registered manager had oversight and ensure that a high quality care was delivered. At this inspection we saw that a robust quality assurance system was in place which was used to identify and resolved any concerns. At this inspection, we found the provider and registered manager had taken appropriate action and these regulations had been met. As a result, the overall rating for this service has improved from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good’.

Scotch Dyke Residential Home provides care and support for up to 25 older people with a variety of long term conditions and physical health needs. It is situated in a residential area of Ferring, West Sussex. At the time of our inspection there were 23 people living at the home. People had their own room and rooms were en-suite. There was a dining and lounge area and a garden area that people could access.

The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were protected by staff who knew how to recognise and report the signs of abuse. Staff had received regular safeguarding training. Safe recruitment practices were followed. Disclosure and Barring Service checks (DBS) had been requested and were present in all checked records. There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to keep people safe and meet their needs.

People’s rights were upheld as the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards had been adhered to. The registered manager had made an application for DoLS for one person living at the home.

Staff had undertaken a comprehensive training programme to ensure that they were able to meet people’s needs. New staff received an induction to ensure they were competent to start work. Staff received regular supervisions.

People received enough to eat and drink. People who were at risk were weighed on a monthly basis and referrals or advice was sought where people were identified as being at risk. People had access to a range of healthcare professionals and services.

Staff knew people well and they were treated in a dignified and respectful way. Staff encouraged people to remain as independent as possible. We saw that the guidance in people’s care plans reminded staff to encourage people to be as independent as possible.

The care that people received was responsive to their needs. People’s care plans contained information about their life history and staff spoke with us about the importance of knowing people’s history. Staff knew people well and knew how they liked their care needs to be met.

People’s social and recreational needs were assessed. There were planned and meaningful activities available to people including gardening and baking. There was a greenhouse in the garden which people used to grow their plants. People enjoyed taking part in the activities and also speaking with staff and other people at the home.

Quality assurance systems were in place to regularly review the quality of the service that was provided. There was an open culture at the home and staff told us they would be listened to and supported by the registered manager if they raised a concern. Relatives and staff spoke highly of the registered manager and felt they would be able to approach them with any concerns. Health care professionals also spoke positively and told us "the staff are friendly and welcoming, I recommend the home to my patients".